Yale Security Inc.

J Steven Gray

Chris Hodgin

Sidney J Lampley

Larry R Hunt

Michael L Ensley

Andrew Whitaker

Kerry D Huebner

Barclay H Hurst

A latch assembly comprises a first portion () defining an opening and a second portion () slidably disposed in the opening for movement of the first portion along the second portion. The second portion includes a stop which is larger than the opening for preventing further movement of the first portion along the second portion in a first direction. A securing element releasably connects the first portion and the second portion in a first relative axially connected position. In a mortise lock (), the first portion and the second portion are thus movable together relative to the housing so that the first portion at least partially non-rotatably projects outwardly from the opening in the edge wall of the housing in an extended position and is inside the housing in a retracted position. Disconnecting the first portion from the second portion allows the first portion to move along the second portion in the first direction to a second axial position.

Reversible latch bolt

A latch is provided for a mortise lock of the type comprising a housing for accommodating the lock components. The latch comprises a first and second portions movably mounted in the housing and a securing element for releasably connecting the first and second portions in either a first relative axial position or a second relative axial position where the first and second portions of the latch are rotatable relative to one another. In the first axially connected position of the latch, the first and second portions of the latch are movable together relative to the housing so that the first portion at least partially non-rotatably projects outwardly from the opening in the housing in an extended position of the latch, and the first portion is inside the housing in a retracted position of the latch. In the second axially connected position of the latch, the first portion of the latch extends further outwardly from the opening in the housing so that the first portion is rotatable relative to the housing and the first portion may be rotated to a selected position and returned to the first axially connected position of the first and second portions of the latch.

A touch bar () exit device () comprises a retractor element () disposed in the housing () for substantially restilinear movement. The retractor element () connects the touch bar () and the latch bolt () such that the retractor element () and the latch bolt () are moved toward the retracted position in response to movement of the touch bar (). An electrically energizable locking mechanism () in the exit device () includes a reciprocating plunger () moving transverse to the retractor element (). When energized, the locking mechanism () is operative to move the plunger () to the projected locking position to prevent retraction of the latch bolt. A time delay circuit is connected to the locking mechanism (). A switch () actuated in response to movement of the touch bar () is connected to the time delay circuit for starting a predetermined time interval for temporarily delaying deenergization of the locking mechanism (). When the time delay circuit interrupts power to the locking mechanism (), the plunger () moves allowing the latch bolt () to move to the retracted position.

Delayed egress exit device

A latch assembly with a keyed rose plate for quick and easy adjustment to doors of different thickness without the use of threaded components. The latch assembly includes a latch body with an outside end having at least two grooves. The grooves are preferably spaced longitudinally apart from one another by one-half (1/2)the difference in standard door thickness. An outside rose plate has an oblong central opening which allows it to fit eccentrically over the outside end of the latch body. Once aligned with one of the grooves, the outide rose plate may be moved laterally with respect to the latch body to engage in the groove with which it is so aligned. An inside rose plate fits over the inside end of the latch body so that the inside rose plate is free to move longitudinally along the inside end of the latch body. By engaging the outside rose plate in the appropriate groove for the door thickness and fixing the rose plates to one another and snug against the door, the latch body is maintained in the center of the door. The engagement of the outside rose plate in one of the grooves secures the rose plate axially and rotationally with respect to the latch body.

Growing community of inventors

Maryville, TN, United States of America

J Steven Gray